Gamefly and Amazon Team for Streaming Video Game Service

Published: June 2, 2015 6:36 PM /

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If anyone remembers Qwikster, I apologize for bringing up the name. If you're like me, it may bring up memories of excitement followed by aggravation after learning that Netflix decided to put the kibosh on this most awesome of ideas.

Fortunately, Amazon and Gamefly have decided to take the reigns of this once awesome idea and up the ante by providing it to consumer in the form of a video game streaming service, which launches today. This move makes sense for Amazon considering that Amazon Prime is a direct competitor with Netflix's streaming service.

According to their website, Gamefly acquired Playcast Media Systems, Inc, which is a "cloud-based streaming technology company." Even more interesting and relevant to the acquisition is that Playcast currently runs a video game streaming service called "MEO Jogos" (MEO Games in English) in Portugal.

The service will be tied into the Amazon Fire TV for the time being, and requires users to have an HDTV, an Amazon account and a decent internet connection.

As for charges, Gamefly will be offering packs of games at a monthly fee as opposed to a set monthly payment. These packs also include a ten minute evaluation period so that you can get a taste of the game before committing to the pack monthly payment.

Here is a list of their current offerings:

1. Action Pack Price: $6.99/month Titles:  F.E.A.R. 3, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Red Faction: Armageddon, Red Faction: Guerilla, Mafia II, Sleeping Dogs and Hitman

2. Adventure Pack Price: $6.99/month Titles: Dark Void, Overlord II, Darksiders, Darksiders II, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins

3. Gamer Pack  Price: $9.99/month Titles: F.E.A.R. 3, Red Faction: Armageddon, Red Faction: Guerilla, Sleeping Dogs, Hitman, Darksiders, Darksiders II, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins, Shank, Shank 2, Dark Void, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Mafia II, Overlord II

4. Speed Pack Price: $6.99/month Titles:  Ace Combat, Dirt 3, GRID, GRID 2, MotoGP13, Ridge Racer Unbounded, WRC 4

5. Fun Pack Price: $6.99/month Titles: Flock!, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Rise of the Owlverlord, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

6. LEGO Pack Price: $6.99/month Titles: LEGO Batman, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, LEGO Lord of the Rings, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, LEGO Marvel: Super Heroes, LEGO The Hobbit

What do you guys think? Will this service bring Amazon into competition with Sony or become the future of video games?

PS - Would love to hear comments from those who possess an Amazon Fire TV and can tell us about bugs and such.

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


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